As part of the fight against the illegal operation of sachet water manufacturing facilities, the Thiès Research Brigade dismantled a large network of clandestine operators based in the Thiès department, particularly in the Médina Fall neighborhood, on April 16, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM. During this operation, A. Niang, ED Dieng, G. Fall, SM Fall, and ED Diouf, the respective owners of the factories named "EAU BEBE AMI," "JAALIBATOU," "AMARA," "EAU DIARA," and "EAU GUERA," were arrested and taken to the brigade for questioning.

Initial investigations revealed that Mr. A. Niang allegedly purchased his manufacturing permit, number 1050/2016, from Aminata Diaw, reportedly residing in Ivory Coast, for 400,000 FCFA. According to the investigation, this permit bears the trademark "EAU BEBE AMI," while he is marketing the brand "EAU KAWSARA" without administrative authorization. He is assisted in his activities by printers AA Niang, based in Grand Standing, Zamoura, and Malick, respectively located in the Dixième district and opposite the EDK gas station in Thiès.

As for ED Dieng, owner of the "JAALIBATOU" factory, he stated that the brand was transferred to him by Penda Mboup Ndom, who is reportedly outside the country. He added that this transfer was not subject to any financial transaction. He emphasized that they share the revenue from the product's sale simply because the water dispenser belongs to him. He announced that he possesses a health certificate, but the observations made by investigators following the water analysis are alarming.

In turn, Mr. SM Fall, owner of the "EAU DIARA" factory, stated that he acquired the trademark from a certain Fallou Gaye for 90,000 FCFA. According to the investigation, this man also owns another brand called "EAU BAYRE," which he operates without authorization. He also stated that he does not possess a health and safety certificate.

For his part, prosecutor G. Fall, responsible for the "AMARA" brand, stated that the manufacturing license for this brand was granted to him by a man named Mbacké Diagne, without further details, for the sum of 400,000 FCFA. He announced that he shares the same printers with Mr. A. Niang, his former employer. The investigation reveals that G. Fall conducts his business from his own home, where he has set up a room housing his production equipment.

Regarding Mr. ED Diouf, owner of the "EAU GUERA" brand, he stated that he purchased his manufacturing permit and a water production machine from Mr. Ngounda Ndiaye, residing in the Fahu neighborhood of Thiès, for the sum of 1,600,000 FCFA. This sale reportedly took place in 2019. According to the investigation, ED Diouf does not possess a health and safety certificate. However, to exonerate himself, he claimed to have gone to the Thiès Regional Hygiene Brigade last Tuesday to obtain this document, which has yet to be issued.

In the course of their investigation, the investigators submitted a request for assistance, No. 948/2/LGTH/BR THIE, dated April 17, 2026, to the head of the Consumer Affairs and Consumer Safety Division in Dakar, seeking clarification on the true owners of the manufacturing permits used by the law enforcement officers. In its response, the requested authority provided information indicating that the FRA codes belong to Baté Boye, a couscous producer under the brand name "GANDIOL," No. AUT-FRA900/2017, located in Ndiébène Gandiol (Saint-Louis); and "GIE-BADIO," specializing in the production of ground bay leaves, No. AUT-FRA510-2016, based in Yeumbeul (Dakar). Mamadou Lamara Bâ, manufacturer of corn couscous with the brand name “MOURAFA”, n°AUT-FRA977-2018, having its premises in Medina (Dakar); Ibrahima Bâ, operator of blended flour, n°AUT-FRA727-2018, located in Guédiawaye; and Penda Mboup Ndom, specializing in the production of filtered water with the brand “JAALIBATOU”, n°AUT-FRA316-2018, located in Thiès.

This information revealed that Messrs. A. Niang, ED Dieng, G. Fall, and SM Fall were using the codes of the aforementioned manufacturing permits, changing the brand name to expand their operations. At this stage of the investigation, subsequent inquiries strongly suggest that the charges against the accused are substantiated and beyond doubt.

The investigation revealed that sufficient evidence of guilt was gathered against A. Niang, ED Dieng, SM Fall, G. Fall, and ED Diouf to warrant their arrest for forgery and use of forged administrative documents, as well as endangering the lives of others. These offenses are defined and punishable under Articles 137 and 307 bis, paragraph 2, of the Penal Code.

At the end of their custody, the five accused were brought before the prosecutor's office in Thiès on Monday, April 20, 2026. They were then granted a return to the prosecutor's office.